PALM ISLAND RESORT IN THE GRENADINES IS MAKING TRAVEL EASIER FOR INTERNATIONAL GUESTS

Island Retreat in St. Vincent & The Grenadines  has its own  PCR Testing Machine

Palm Island, St. Vincent & The Grenadines: Oct. 2021:  In St. Vincent & The Grenadines,  Palm Island Resort is making travel easier by alleviating the  48-hour quarantine that the government has placed on travelers following the purchase of its own PCR testing machine. This bold move encourages travel to the tiny island paradise on the southern tip of the tony island archipelago known for its celeb sisters of Mustique and Canouan. “While this was a significant investment, we acknowledged that in order to encourage a seamless travel experience for our guests, it was a necessity,” said Palm Island’s 40-year old owner, James Lane. “It’s also our priority for our entire staff to maintain the love of their work here at Palm, and without guests, that is not possible. In a small, soulful place such as Palm, the connection to the community is paramount as is the interaction between our team members and guests. They all feel like family.” Lane has also poured more than $5M USD into the 135-acre property including a new spa, expanded gastronomy concepts, and a new two-bedroom villa, opening in January.

Guests traveling to Palm Island typically arrive around 5 pm in the afternoon to Union Island (via a short flight from Barbados) and will be tested prior to the five-minute boat ride to Palm Island, where, upon arrival, they will whisk to their room for a room-service dinner, and by mid-morning, the quarantine should be lifted providing test results are negative. The property only allows visitors over the age of 16 who have proof of vaccination. Travelers may also use the PCR testing for their return trip home, if necessary. The cost of testing is $125 USD per person. Should guests not wish to take part in the new PCR testing, they may quarantine in their rooms for 48 hours. If a guest does test positive for COVID-19, they must quarantine for 14 days, and the hotel will work with guests for a reduced rate.   Rates range from $600 USD to $750 USD per night, for two persons, on an all-inclusive basis including all meals, premium liquor, taxes, and trips.  The island produces over 2,000 coconuts per year and incorporates the tropical nut into various local recipes handed down from local residents and staff members. For more information, visit https://palmislandgrenadines.com/  St. Vincent & The Grenadines Safety Protocols:  http://health.gov.vc/health/index.php/covid-19-protocols-documents

History of Palm Island:

Originally known as Prune Island, the white-sand fringed oasis in The Grenadines was leased in 1966 for 99 years by Americans, John and Mary Caldwell, from the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for $1 USD per year. The caveat was that they built a hotel to provide employment for local people. At that time, the island was uninhabitable with a swampy, low-lying interior, but with its iconic, stunningly white sand beaches framing its shoreline.  The Caldwells planted coconut palms to reclaim the land, a practice Johnny had learned from previous projects, giving him the nickname “Johnny Coconuts.” And so, Palm Island evolved and by leasing a few select building plots for private homes the funds were raised to construct a 10-room hotel, The Palm Island Beach Club, which they ran for the following 30 years.  In 1999, the hotel was purchased by James Lane, an Englishman, and Rob Barrett (the now founder of Elite Islands Resorts, an American. Extensive renovations followed to create 41 rooms and suites, a spa, and other amenities for hotel guests. Two of the private residences were also purchased to create villas, and a plant nursery was crafted to cultivate fresh produce and herbs for hotel restaurants.    Although the geography of this area can sometimes be challenging, the ethos here is always to come back stronger. And so the story of Palm Island is ever moving forward and it is in this element that James Lane Jr., the current owner, hopes that its visitors will love and appreciate and want to be part of it, as much as he does. James and his entire team are passionate about preserving the natural beauty, the flora and fauna, and of course the very important jobs for the local community, that he has inherited.  For more information, visit  https://palmislandgrenadines.com/